**Episode 4: Secrets in Silence**
The bond between Ayaan and Elina grew slowly — not like a wildfire, but like a flame sheltered from the wind. It flickered quietly, steadily, between shared silences and stolen glances.
But for every step Ayaan took forward, Elina seemed to take one back.
She never spoke about her family. Avoided questions about her past. And any time he brought up emotions, love, or dreams — she'd change the subject or vanish behind a polite smile.
Still, Ayaan didn't give up.
One evening, as they walked together after class, Ayaan finally asked, "Why do you hide so much of yourself?"
She stopped. Her eyes, usually so calm, looked stormy.
"You're the one hiding," she said sharply. "You don't even use your real name, do you… Ayaan Ahsan?"
His heart skipped a beat.
"How do you—?"
Elina turned away, her voice lower now. "I know who you are. Everyone in this country knows the Ahsan family. You're just good at pretending."
Ayaan felt exposed — like someone had pulled the ground from under him.
"Why didn't you say anything earlier?" he asked.
"Because," she said, finally meeting his eyes, "I was curious how long you'd keep lying."
Silence stretched between them like a wall.
"I didn't lie," he said quietly. "I just… needed to live as someone else for a while. Not as an heir. Not as a name. Just… me."
Elina looked at him — truly looked — and something softened in her gaze.
"I understand," she whispered. "Because I'm hiding too."
Ayaan's eyes narrowed. "From what?"
She didn't answer. Just turned and walked away, leaving him with more questions than answers.
That night, he couldn't sleep again.
Elina knew who he was — but *who was she*?
The next day, he went searching for answers. A few discreet inquiries led him to a surprising truth: **Elina Chowdhury** didn't exist in the university's admission records before this year.
No school records. No public background.
She was hiding something big.
And just like that… the girl in the rain became a mystery Ayaan couldn't ignore.
**To be continued…**